The Golf Test: Zach Johnson

Just how much do you have in common with the world’s top golfers? On the tee this month… 2015 Open champion Zach Johnson

Each month, we find out just how much in common your average golfer has with a Tour professional – and grade them on their answers.

Our current Golf Test leader is Ian Woosnam on -9, and given that he once wrote down a 32 on his scorecard – we reckon it’s going to be a tough score to beat!

Zach Johnson might not have quite as much in common with the rest of us as Woosy, but from missing tee-times to five-putting (or worse) and thinking you’ve striped one when you’ve actually come up miles short – it might surprise you just how much you have in common with this major champion!

Have you ever rushed on to the 1st tee just before your tee time?

I remember on the mini tours I rushed to the first tee and I missed it. I was in the last group and they were already in the fairway and I got assessed a two-shot penalty. In my defence, they changed the tee times and I was so mad. That was a real horror story.
TG Score: Birdie

Have you ever hit five off the tee?

I sure have. I can’t recall a specific time, but I’m sure I did. Not on the PGA Tour, though, but definitely in my younger days. I’m not good at recollecting that kind of stuff. Maybe it’s the competitor in me.
TG Score: Par

Have you ever shouted ‘get in the hole’, only for the ball to come up 20 yards short or long?

One that sticks out was during the Presidents Cup at Harding Park.
I was playing the first hole, a par-5 dog-leg left, and had a perfect number for a 3-wood to get on there in two. I striped it, started posing, and then it ended up 15 yards short. Why? Because I hit my 5-wood, the wrong club.
TG Score: Birdie

Have you ever won or lost a match 10&8?

I’ve come close. I won a match last year at the Dell Match Play in Austin on the 12th hole so that was 8&6. I was just on fire and played really well and was making putts. It was against Martin Kaymer and I won eight of the last 10 holes.
TG Score: Par

Have you ever run out of golf balls?

No, not in a round that counted. We’ve come close, but you just can’t let that be a possibility.
TG Score: Par

Have you ever missed a putt inside two feet?

Yeah I have. A few times. At Augusta, I’ve missed some short putts, especially when faced with a severe slope. It also happens at US Opens, too, like at Pebble Beach in 2010. It happens… not very often, but it does happen.
TG Score: Par

Have you ever forgotten your waterproofs and ended up getting soaked?

Nothing I immediately remember, but I’ve played a lot of golf so it’s bound to have happened. It’s not that hard to do, especially when you’re playing a casual round.
TG Score: Par

Have you ever five putted?

I’ll do you one better. At San Antonio one year I had a seven on a par 3 and I hit the green in regulation. You can do the math on that one. It was the first year it was at TPC San Antonio and it was on the 13th. I shot 80 that day and missed the cut by a shot, so I learned my lesson.
TG Score: Eagle

Have you ever had a double-digit score on Tour?

I know I made a nine and that was on No.14 at Pebble Beach, with absolutely no penalty shots. Hard to believe, isn’t it? And it’s still embarrassing today to admit it.
TG Score: Birdie

Have you ever shot a 59 or better?

I’ve shot 60 twice on the PGA Tour, but never 59. I had a close call when I shot 60 at the 2007 Tour Championship. I stiffed a 2-iron close on the par-5 15th and made eagle. When I made that, I starting thinking ‘I’m nine-under with three holes left’. I needed to birdie 18 to get there, but pushed it into the bunker.
TG Score: Birdie

TG RESULT: -5

A pretty respectable score from Johnson, who has previously had a hole-in-one and missed a putt from tap-in distance at onee US Open. Next month, 2011 US PGA Champion Keegan Bradley takes the hot seat